Cities at the Table

In this special episode, we land in Tucson, where food and culture come together in the heart of the borderlands. Felipe Garcia, President of The Food Capitals network and CEO of Visit Tucson, is joined by acclaimed chef, author, and television host Pati Jinich for a heartfelt conversation exploring how cuisine can build bridges across communities, preserve cultural heritage, encourage innovation, and spark meaningful human connection.From the culinary traditions of the Sonoran Desert to the shared histories linking Mexico and the United States, Pati reflects on the power of food to tell stories of migration, identity, and belonging. Through discussions of Indigenous ingredients, seasonal cooking, culinary creativity, and the people shaping Tucson’s vibrant food scene, this episode highlights how food can connect cultures, strengthen communities, and help build longer tables that bring us all together.Subscribe on your favourite podcast platform and leave us a review to let us know what you think of Cities at the Table 🎧About the Food Capitals by Délice NetworkThe Food Capitals is the international network of cities committed to using food and gastronomy as powerful tools for economic and sustainable urban development, cultural identity, urban well-being, and city attractiveness.Founded by Lyon in 2007, this non-profit organisation gathers cities, working together on food culture, food sector, food policies, and food scene development. Through annual gatherings, study tours, collaborative projects and year-round dialogue, the network fosters a global community dedicated to learning, sharing, and connecting through food.www.thefoodcapitals.comHosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

In this special episode of Cities at the Table, we turn to New York City with one of the world’s leading voices in urban food policy. Recorded during the Food Capitals Annual General Meeting in Lyon, the conversation brings us together with Kate MacKenzie, Executive Director of the NYC Mayor’s Office of Food Policy. From the city’s ambitious 10-year strategy Food Forward NYC to school meals, food education, plant-based initiatives, and cross-department collaboration, this episode dives into how New York is reimagining plates, offering valuable insights for cities shaping the future of their food systems.Note: This episode was recorded in June 2025; the program “Plant-Powered Fridays” mentioned in the podcast has since become “Plant-Powered On the Move.”Whether you’re a city leader or a food lover, pull up a chair and join us at the table !Subscribe on your favourite podcast platform and leave us a review to let us know what you think of Cities at the Table 🎧About the Food Capitals by Délice NetworkThe Food Capitals is the international network of cities committed to using food and gastronomy as powerful tools for economic and sustainable urban development, cultural identity, urban well-being, and city attractiveness.Founded by Lyon in 2007, this non-profit organisation gathers cities, working together on food culture, food sector, food policies, and food scene development. Through annual gatherings, study tours, collaborative projects and year-round dialogue, the network fosters a global community dedicated to learning, sharing, and connecting through food.www.thefoodcapitals.comPhoto credit: © NYC Food PolicyHosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

In this episode, we travel to Castelldefels, a coastal city just outside Barcelona that is using gastronomy as a powerful tool for identity, social cohesion, and tourism. We’re joined by Guillermo Massana, Councillor for Tourism and Hospitality, to hear how a city of 70 000 inhabitants and over 500 restaurants has built a shared culinary vision: from its multicultural food scene to a signature rice dish, Arròs de Castelldefels, that brings chefs, local producers, and public institutions together. At the crossroads of sea, mountains, and farmland, Castelldefels shows how food can unite a city around a shared table.Whether you're a city leader or a food lover, join us at the table🍴Subscribe on your favourite podcast platform and leave us a review to let us know what you think of Cities at the Table 🎧About the Food Capitals by Délice NetworkThe Food Capitals is the international network of cities committed to using food and gastronomy as powerful tools for economic and sustainable urban development, cultural identity, urban well-being, and city attractiveness.Founded by Lyon in 2007, this non-profit organisation gathers cities, working together on food culture, food sector, food policies, and food scene development. Through annual gatherings, study tours, collaborative projects and year-round dialogue, the network fosters a global community dedicated to learning, sharing, and connecting through food.www.thefoodcapitals.comHosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Today we take you to Cali, Colombia, a vibrant city filled with flavor, tradition, and culinary stories waiting to be discovered. Joining us at the table in this episode is Catalina García, the executive director of the Cali Valle Bureau. She will share about the multicultural heritage that shapes the city’s culinary identity and highlight how Cali promotes and protects the incredible biodiversity that makes this region so attractive.Whether you're a city leader or a food lover, join us at the table🍴Subscribe on your favourite podcast platform and leave us a review to let us know what you think of Cities at the Table 🎧About the city of Cali, ColombiaLocated in the Valle del Cauca region, Cali, is a major city in southwestern Colombia. The city is known as the capital of salsa thanks to its vibrant music and dance culture. Nestled between the Andes Mountains and the Pacific Ocean, Cali's remarkable ecological wealth directly influences its food scene. With over 300 varieties of fruit and access to diverse ingredients from seven surrounding rivers and the Farallones mountain range, the city offers unparalleled culinary biodiversity. About the Food Capitals by Délice Network The Food Capitals is the international network of cities committed to using food and gastronomy as powerful tools for economic and sustainable urban development, cultural identity, urban well-being, and city attractiveness.Founded by Lyon in 2007, this non-profit organisation gathers cities, working together on food culture, food sector, food policies, and food scene development. Through annual gatherings, study tours, collaborative projects and year-round dialogue, the network fosters a global community dedicated to learning, sharing, and connecting through food.www.thefoodcapitals.comAbout Cali Valle BureauCali Valle Bureau is the official organisation promoting Cali and Valle del Cauca as vibrant destinations for gastronomy, culture,and tourism.Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

🎙️Hello and welcome to Cities at the Table, the podcast that dives into the heart of urban food systems around the world.In each episode, we explore how cities are tackling food challenges and reinventing gastronomy. From vibrant culinary scenes to cutting-edge food policies, we bring you stories from global food capitals and their inspiring leaders driving change.This collaborative podcast is created by The Food Capitals, a network connecting cities worldwide that use food and gastronomy to build urban resilience, boost local economies and enhance city life.The journey starts on World Food Day, October 16 🌍Subscribe on your favourite podcast platform so you won't miss the first episode 🎧Whether you're a city leader or a food lover, join us at the table🍴 About The Food Capitals by Délice Network :The Food Capitals is the international network of cities committed to using food and gastronomy as powerful tools for economic and sustainable urban development, cultural identity, urban well-being, and city attractiveness.Founded in Lyon, France, in 2007, this non-profit organisation gathers cities working together on food culture, food sector, food policies, and food scene development. Through annual gatherings, study tours, collaborative projects and year-round dialogue, the network fosters a global community dedicated to learning, sharing, and connecting through food.www.thefoodcapitals.com Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.